Mr. Thomas (Tom) Ray Riddle, of Gray, passed away on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at his home.
Mr. Riddle was born in Carter County, TN on February 6, 1939.
He was a graduate of Happy Valley High School and received his Bachelor of Science in Health Education from ETSU.
Known as “Bone Crusher” in high school, Tom lettered in multiple sports but excelled in both baseball and football. Tom played baseball at ETSU and was offered a minor league opportunity.
Tom retired from Novartis Pharmaceuticals after a long successful career in sales.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, and mother of their children, Cynthia Bacon Riddle and his parents Ray & Geneva Riddle.
Tom is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Seymore; her son, Gilmer D. Seymore, Jr.; children, Lisa Setser (Gary), Ellen Huffine (Kenny), Melanie Walker (Danny), Tommy Riddle (Kerry), and Whitney Riddle (Sheri), grandchildren, Amanda Walker Batchelder, Derek Walker (Robin), Keena Riddle, Jessa Riddle, Emily Riddle, Tyler Riddle (Kaela), Avery Riddle Gray (Jordan) and Dylan Riddle; great-grandchildren, Christian Batchelder, Beau Riddle and Maya Gray.
Entombment services will be conducted at 2:00 PM, Monday, October 31, 2022, at Washington County Memory Gardens.
Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, 3101 Browns Mill Rd. Suite 6-321 Johnson City, TN 37604.
11/28/2022
Barbara Schreiber
I had the pleasure of working with Tom selling pharmaceuticals and he was always extremely considerate of his teammates, as well as his clients. Tom treated everyone with respect and in return was highly respected among pharmaceutical sales people. Tom even took a territory that involved more travel and let me have the closer one as he knew that I had children. He was a great friend.
So sorry for your loss
Family: You may not recognize my name, but fifty + years ago Tom and I (and many other young men) drove the roads of NE Tennessee, SW Virginia (and some had parts of KY and NC) as Pharmaceutical Salesmen or DETAIL-MAN. For eight years Tom and I "called" on the same Doctors, Pharmacies and Hospitals, had the same Drug Wholesalers, stayed in the same Motels and shared meals together etc.. We each represented different companies (mine was Burroughs-Welcome, Tom's was Ciba, then), most of the names then are unknown today, but we were "co-workers" and friends more than competitors. I am proud to say that Tom was my friend, even though we were competitors and hadn't seen one-an-other in nearly forty years. I left the industry and went to Law School. That friendship continued, and when I ran for Judge, a few years later, some of my best supporters was Tom, Cynthia and the Bacons (and their friends) in Washington County and the Riddles in Carter County all because of my friend, TOM RIDDLE. You can be proud of Tom's contribution to the Pharmaceutical industry in the greater Tri-Cites area, especially as a founder of the industry arm of the Tri-CIties Pharmaceutical Association. Tom was well respected by his "Clients' and competitors, especially me. The old Detail-Men of the 60's - 80's are gone, as are most of their customer base. But there are a few of us left and we will miss TOM. May you know that Tom was well known, respected, valued and even 'loved' by his industry friends and competitors. Know also that he loved his children and spoke of them often with proud words. I am sure the same is true for his grand-children May God's blessings be with you. Richard Gray,
10/28/2022
Sheila (Ford) Blair
Ellen, Lisa, Melanie, Tom, and Whitney, I am so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I have many fond memories of time spent at your house when we were children. He was a good, kind man and a wonderful father. I understand the pain and loss of losing a father and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers, especially as we head into the holiday season. God bless each of you! Much love, Sheila
10/28/2022
shirley jean evans
so sorry hear this husband of my niece Prayers to all
